U.S. patent number 8,276,093 [Application Number 12/544,557] was granted by the patent office on 2012-09-25 for computer-readable storage medium having object display order changing program stored therein and apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Nintendo Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Tomohiro Kawase, Yoshihiro Matsushima.
United States Patent |
8,276,093 |
Matsushima , et al. |
September 25, 2012 |
Computer-readable storage medium having object display order
changing program stored therein and apparatus
Abstract
An icon line is displayed on a screen. A display order for the
icon line can be changed by using a switch input unit enabling a
direction input. When an input in a first direction is made,
objects are scrolled so as to sequentially display each object at a
specific position or the objects are scrolled across the specific
position. When an input in the second direction is made, an object
positioned at the specific position is saved at a saving position
or an object positioned at the saving position is positioned at the
specific position. Thus, a user is allowed to easily change the
display order in which a plurality of objects are displayed on a
screen.
Inventors: |
Matsushima; Yoshihiro (Kyoto,
JP), Kawase; Tomohiro (Kyoto, JP) |
Assignee: |
Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Kyoto,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
41531367 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/544,557 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20100017732 A1 |
Jan 21, 2010 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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12149266 |
Apr 29, 2008 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Apr 24, 2008 [JP] |
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2008-114434 |
Aug 21, 2008 [JP] |
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2008-213383 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/784;
715/787 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
9/451 (20180201); G06F 3/0482 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
15/00 (20060101); G06F 13/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;715/769,838,851,763-765,784-787,803-806 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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6-12217 |
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Jan 1994 |
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JP |
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10-97407 |
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Apr 1998 |
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JP |
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11-177926 |
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Jul 1999 |
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JP |
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2004-283325 |
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Oct 2004 |
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JP |
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2005-169880 |
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Jun 2005 |
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JP |
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2005-227826 |
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Aug 2005 |
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JP |
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2008-97435 |
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Apr 2008 |
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JP |
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2007/067858 |
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Jun 2007 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Cao "Kevin"
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/149,266 filed 29 Apr. 2008; which claims
priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-114434 filed on 24
Apr. 2008; and Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-213383 filed 21
Aug. 2008 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored
therein an object display order changing program for enabling a
user to change, by using a switch input unit enabling a direction
input, a display order in which a plurality of objects are
displayed on a screen, the object display order changing program
causing a computer to execute instructions comprising: displaying a
subset (m; m>1) of objects, among the plurality of objects, in
an object display area on the screen in a predetermined display
order so as to align the subset of objects along a first direction;
scrolling, in the first direction, the plurality of objects so as
to sequentially display each object at a specific position in the
object display area, in accordance with an input in the first
direction being made by using the switch input unit; saving, in a
predetermined saving area, an object displayed at the specific
position, among the subset of objects displayed in the object
display area, when an input in a second direction different from
the first direction is made by using the switch input unit;
scrolling, when an input in the first direction is made by using
the switch input unit while an object is saved in the predetermined
saving area, all the plurality of objects other than the object
saved in the predetermined saving area, across the specific
position, in the first direction; and inserting, when an input, in
the second direction, which is reverse to the input made during the
saving in the predetermined saving area, is made by using the
switch input unit while an object is saved in the predetermined
saving area, the object saved in the predetermined saving area
between two objects which are displayed adjacent to each other in
the object display area so as to sandwich the specific
position.
2. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to
claim 1, wherein the switch input unit is a cross key.
3. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to
claim 1, wherein the object display order changing program causes
the computer to further execute instructions comprising starting a
program corresponding to an object displayed at the specific
position, among the subset of objects displayed in the object
display area, in accordance with a predetermined button operation
being performed.
4. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to
claim 3, wherein the program is started corresponding to the object
displayed at the specific position, among the subset of objects
displayed in the object display area, in accordance with the
predetermined button operation being performed, only when no object
is saved in the predetermined saving area.
5. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to
claim 4, wherein the object display order changing program causes
the computer to further execute instructions comprising displaying
information of the program corresponding to the object displayed at
the specific position.
6. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to
claim 1, wherein the object display order changing program causes
the computer to further execute instructions comprising performing
control so as to prevent the input in the second direction made
during the saving in the predetermined saving area by using the
switch input unit from being accepted while an object is saved in
the predetermined saving area.
7. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to
claim 1, wherein the object display order changing program causes
the computer to further execute instructions comprising performing,
in accordance with the predetermined button operation being
performed, a process associated with the object displayed at the
specific position, and performing control so as to prevent the
predetermined button operation from being accepted while an object
is saved in the predetermined saving area.
8. An object display order changing apparatus for enabling a user
to change, by using a switch input unit enabling a direction input,
a display order in which a plurality of objects are displayed on a
screen, the object display order changing apparatus comprising: a
display unit having the screen; the switch input unit; an object
display unit for displaying a subset (m; m>1) of objects, among
the plurality of objects, in an object display area on the screen
in a predetermined display order so as to align the subset of
objects along a first direction; a first scrolling unit for
scrolling, in the first direction, the plurality of objects so as
to sequentially display each object at a specific position in the
object display area, in accordance with an input in the first
direction being made by using the switch input unit; a saving unit
for saving, in a predetermined saving area, an object displayed at
the specific position, among the subset of objects displayed in the
object display area, when an input in a second direction different
from the first direction is made by using the switch input unit; a
second scrolling unit for scrolling, when an input in the first
direction is made by using the switch input unit while an object is
saved in the predetermined saving area, all the plurality of
objects other than the object saved in the predetermined saving
area, across the specific position, in the first direction; and an
object insertion unit for inserting, when an input, in the second
direction, which is reverse to the input made for the saving unit,
is made by using the switch input unit while an object is saved in
the predetermined saving area, the object saved in the
predetermined saving area between two objects which are displayed
adjacent to each other in the object display area so as to sandwich
the specific position.
9. An object display order changing system, comprising: a display
device having a screen and configured to display image data; and an
object display order changing apparatus coupled to the display
device and for enabling a user to change, by using a switch input
unit enabling a direction input, a display order in which a
plurality of objects are displayed on the screen, the object
display order changing apparatus comprising: the switch input unit,
an object display unit for displaying a subset (m; m>1) of
objects, among the plurality of objects, in an object display area
on the screen in a predetermined display order so as to align the
subset of objects along a first direction, a first scrolling unit
for scrolling, in the first direction, the plurality of objects so
as to sequentially display each object at a specific position in
the object display area, in accordance with an input in the first
direction being made by using the switch input unit, a saving unit
for saving, in a predetermined saving area, an object displayed at
the specific position, among the subset of objects displayed in the
object display area, when an input in a second direction different
from the first direction is made by using the switch input unit, a
second scrolling unit for scrolling, when an input in the first
direction is made by using the switch input unit while an object is
saved in the predetermined saving area, all the plurality of
objects other than the object saved in the predetermined saving
area, across the specific position, in the first direction, and an
object insertion unit for inserting, when an input, in the second
direction, which is reverse to the input made for the saving unit,
is made by using the switch input unit while an object is saved in
the predetermined saving area, the object saved in the
predetermined saving area between two objects which are displayed
adjacent to each other in the object display area so as to sandwich
the specific position.
10. A method implemented in a computer having one or more
processors and for enabling a user to change, by using a switch
input unit enabling a direction input, a display order in which a
plurality of objects are displayed on a screen, the method
comprising: displaying a subset (m; m>1) of objects, among the
plurality of objects, in an object display area on the screen in a
predetermined display order so as to align the subset of objects
along a first direction; scrolling, in the first direction, the
plurality of objects so as to sequentially display each object at a
specific position in the object display area, in accordance with an
input in the first direction being made by using the switch input
unit; saving, in a predetermined saving area, an object displayed
at the specific position, among the subset of objects displayed in
the object display area, when an input in a second direction
different from the first direction is made by using the switch
input unit; scrolling, when an input in the first direction is made
by using the switch input unit while an object is saved in the
predetermined saving area, all the plurality of objects other than
the object saved in the predetermined saving area, across the
specific position, in the first direction; and inserting, via the
one or more processors, when an input, in the second direction,
which is reverse to the input made during the saving in the
predetermined saving area, is made by using the switch input unit
while an object is saved in the predetermined saving area, the
object saved in the predetermined saving area between two objects
which are displayed adjacent to each other in the object display
area so as to sandwich the specific position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium
having an object display order changing program stored therein, and
an apparatus therefor, and, more particularly, to a
computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an object
display order changing program which allows a user to optionally
change, by using switch input means, a display order in which a
plurality of objects are displayed on a screen, and an apparatus
therefor.
2. Description of the Background Art
Conventionally, a device for displaying, to a user, a plurality of
objects (thumbnail images, icons, or the like) on a screen is
provided. In general, when multiple objects exist, such a device
displays some of the objects on the screen, and displays the
remaining other objects in accordance with a scrolling operation
(for example, operating a scroll bar) performed by a user. Thus,
even when multiple objects exist, visibility is not
deteriorated.
Conventionally, provided is also a device which allows a user to
optionally change a display order in which a plurality of objects
as described above are displayed. For example, an image order
determination device disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent
Publication No. 2005-227826 allows a user to change a display order
in which a plurality of objects are displayed, in the following
process steps.
In the first step, a user drags to and drops onto a provisional
saving area (a predetermined area on a screen) a desired thumbnail
image, among a plurality of thumbnail images (corresponding to the
objects described above) displayed in a display area, by using a
pointing device such as a mouse, so as to save the thumbnail image
in the provisional saving area.
In the second step, the user operates a scroll box (corresponding
to the scroll bar described above) as necessary so as to scroll the
screen (thumbnail images) of the display area.
In the third step, the user drags to and drops onto the display
area the thumbnail image which is saved in the provisional saving
area.
As described above, the image order determination device disclosed
in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-227826 allows a
user to move a desired thumbnail image to a desired destination
(between any two thumbnail images adjacent to each other), in the
process steps described above.
However, when a desired thumbnail image is moved to a desired
destination, the image order determination device disclosed in
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-227826 needs to
perform the first to the third steps as described above, thereby
causing a problem that the operation is bothersome.
Further, it is necessary to operate an elongated scroll box in
order to scroll the display area, thereby causing a problem that
high precision operation is necessary for indicating a position on
the scroll box by using a pointing device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a
computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an object
display order changing program for allowing a user to easily change
a display order in which a plurality of objects are displayed on a
screen, and an apparatus therefor.
The present invention has the following features to attain the
object mentioned above. Reference numerals, figure numbers, and
supplementary descriptions in the parentheses indicate an exemplary
correspondence with the drawings so as to aid in understanding the
present invention, and are not intended to limit, in any way, the
scope of the present invention.
A computer-readable storage medium according to the present
invention is a computer-readable storage medium having stored
therein an object display order changing program for enabling a
user to change, by using switch input means enabling a direction
input, a display order (FIG. 4) in which a plurality of objects
(icons 40a to 40x) are displayed on a screen (12).
The object display order changing program causes a computer to
execute the following steps. an object display step of displaying a
subset (m; m>1) of objects, among the plurality of objects, in
an object display area on the screen in a predetermined display
order so as to align the subset of objects along a first direction
a first scrolling step of scrolling, in the first direction, the
plurality of objects so as to sequentially display each object at a
specific position in the object display area, in accordance with an
input in the first direction being made by using the switch input
means a saving step of saving, in a predetermined saving area, an
object displayed at the specific position, among the subset of
objects displayed in the object display area, when an input in a
second direction different from the first direction is made by
using the switch input means a second scrolling step of scrolling,
when an input in the first direction is made by using the switch
input means while an object is saved in the predetermined saving
area, all the plurality of objects other than the object saved in
the predetermined saving area, across the specific position, in the
first direction an object insertion step of inserting, when an
input, in the second direction, which is reverse to the input made
for the saving step, is made by using the switch input means while
an object is saved in the predetermined saving area, the object
saved in the predetermined saving area between two objects which
are displayed adjacent to each other in the object display area so
as to sandwich the specific position.
The "display order" described above means a visually recognizable
order in which the plurality of objects are aligned on the
screen.
The switch input means may be a cross key.
The object display order changing program may cause the computer to
further execute the following step. starting step of starting a
program corresponding to an object displayed at the specific
position, among the subset of objects displayed in the object
display area, in accordance with a predetermined button operation
being performed
The starting step may start the program corresponding to the object
displayed at the specific position, among the subset of objects
displayed in the object display area, in accordance with the
predetermined button operation being performed, only when no object
is saved in the predetermined saving area.
The object display order changing program may cause the computer to
further execute the following step. information display step of
displaying information of the program corresponding to the object
displayed at the specific position
The object display order changing program may cause the computer to
further execute the following step. control step of performing
control so as to prevent the input in the second direction made for
the saving step by using the switch input means from being accepted
while an object is saved in the predetermined saving area
The object display order changing program may cause the computer to
further execute the following step. associated process execution
step of performing, in accordance with the predetermined button
operation being performed, a process associated with the object
displayed at the specific position, and performing control so as to
prevent the predetermined button operation from being accepted
while an object is saved in the predetermined saving area
The associated process execution step is, for example, the starting
step but may be any step other than the starting step
The object display step displays the subset of objects in the
predetermined display order so as to align the subset of objects
along a predetermined direction, and the first direction may be the
predetermined direction.
The first direction and the second direction may be orthogonal to
each other. Thus, a user is able to easily select a desired process
method.
Two or more objects may be simultaneously saved in the
predetermined saving area. Thus, it is possible to efficiently
change the display order in which two or more objects are
displayed.
An object display order changing apparatus according to the present
invention is an apparatus for enabling a user to change, by using
switch input means enabling a direction input, a display order
(FIG. 4) in which a plurality of objects (icons 40a to 40x) are
displayed on a screen (12).
The object display order changing apparatus comprises the following
means. display means having the screen the switch input means
object display means for displaying a subset (m; m>1) of
objects, among the plurality of objects, in an object display area
on the screen in a predetermined display order so as to align the
subset of objects along a first direction first scrolling means for
scrolling, in the first direction, the plurality of objects so as
to sequentially display each object at a specific position in the
object display area, in accordance with an input in the first
direction being made by using the switch input means saving means
for saving, in a predetermined saving area, an object displayed at
the specific position, among the subset of objects displayed in the
object display area, when an input in a second direction different
from the first direction is made by using the switch input means
second scrolling means for scrolling, when an input in the first
direction is made by using the switch input means while an object
is saved in the predetermined saving area, all the plurality of
objects other than the object saved in the predetermined saving
area, across the specific position, in the first direction object
insertion means for inserting, when an input, in the second
direction, which is reverse to the input made for the saving means,
is made by using the switch input means while an object is saved in
the predetermined saving area, the object saved in the
predetermined saving area between two objects which are displayed
adjacent to each other in the object display area so as to sandwich
the specific position.
According to the present invention, a user is allowed to easily
change the display order in which a plurality of objects are
displayed on the screen.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outer appearance of a game
apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of the game
apparatus 10;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on a screen of
a second LCD 12;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display order of an icon 40;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a scroll area 48;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a saving area 50;
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a right edge area 52R and a left
edge area 52L;
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 21 shows a memory map of the RAM 24;
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among a start
mode, a dragging mode, and a saving mode;
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a condition of an operation under
which a mode is changed;
FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing an operation performed by the game
apparatus 10 in the start mode;
FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing an operation performed by the game
apparatus 10 in the dragging mode;
FIG. 26 is a flow chart illustrating an operation performed by the
game apparatus 10 in the saving mode;
FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12;
FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12; and
FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on the screen
of the second LCD 12.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outer appearance of a game
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
present invention can be applied to a stationary game apparatus as
well as a hand-held game apparatus. Further, the present invention
can be applied to any information processing apparatus (for
example, personal computer, mobile telephone, television receiver,
DVD player, and the like) having a video contents display function,
as well as a game apparatus.
In FIG. 1, a game apparatus 10 includes a first LCD (Liquid Crystal
Display) 11 and a second LCD 12. A housing 13 includes an upper
housing 13a and a lower housing 13b. The first LCD 11 is
accommodated in the upper housing 13a, and the second LCD 12 is
accommodated in the lower housing 13b. A resolution for each of the
first LCD 11 and the second LCD 12 is 256 dots.times.192 dots. In
the present embodiment, an LCD is used as a display device, but
another display device such as, for example, a display device using
an EL (Electro Luminescence) can be employed. Also, any resolution
can be employed.
In the upper housing 13a, provided are sound holes 18a and 18b for
outputting a sound to the outside from a pair of loudspeakers (30a
and 30b in FIG. 2) described later. Further, a microphone hole 33
is provided in a hinge portion which connects between the upper
housing 13a and the lower housing 13b so as to be openable and
closable.
In the lower housing 13b, provided as input devices are a cross
switch 14a, a start switch 14b, a select switch 14c, an A button
14d, a B button 14e, an X button 14f, and a Y button 14g. Further,
on the side surface of the lower housing 13b, an L button and an R
button not shown are provided. Also, as a further input device, a
touch panel 15 is provided on a screen of the second LCD 12. On the
side surfaces of the lower housing 13b, provided are a power switch
19, an insertion slot 35 (indicated by dashed-dotted line in FIG.
1) for connection of a memory card 17, and an insertion slot 36
(indicated by dotted line in FIG. 1) for accommodating a stick 16.
Four separate buttons corresponding to an upward direction
indication button, a downward direction indication button, a left
direction indication button, and a right direction indication
button, respectively, may be used instead of the cross switch
14a.
As for the touch panel 15, any type such as, for example, a
resistive film type, an optical type (infrared type), or a
capacitive coupling type can be employed. The touch panel 15 can be
operated by a finger instead of the stick 16. In the present
embodiment, the touch panel 15 having, similar to the resolution of
the second LCD 12, a resolution (detection accuracy) of 256
dots.times.192 dots is employed. However, the resolution for the
touch panel 15 and that for the second LCD 12 do not always need to
be matched.
The memory card 17 includes a ROM 17a for storing a game program,
and a RAM 17b for storing backup data in a rewritable manner, and
is detachably inserted to the insertion slot 35 provided on the
lower housing 13b. A first connector 23a (shown in FIG. 2) which
connects with a connector provided on the memory card 17 at the
edge thereof facing the insertion direction is provided in the
inner portion of the insertion slot 35, which is not shown in FIG.
1. When the memory card 17 is inserted into the insertion slot 35,
the connectors are connected with each other, thereby allowing the
CPU core 21 (shown in FIG. 2) of the game apparatus 10 to access
the memory card 17.
Next, referring to FIG. 2, an internal structure of the game
apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram
illustrating an internal structure of the game apparatus 10. In
FIG. 2, the CPU core 21 is mounted on an electronic circuit board
20 accommodated in the housing 13. Via a bus 22, the CPU core 21 is
connected to a connector 23, an input/output interface circuit
(denoted as an I/F circuit in the drawings) 25, a first GPU
(Graphics Processing Unit) 26, a second GPU 27, the RAM 24, an LCD
controller 31, and a wireless communication section 34. The memory
card 17 is detachably connected to the connector 23. The I/F
circuit 25 is connected to the touch panel 15, a right speaker 30a,
a left speaker 30b, an operation switch section 14 including the
cross switch 14a, the A button 14d and the like, which are shown in
FIG. 1, and a microphone 37. The right speaker 30a and the left
speaker 30b are provided inside the sound holes 18a and 18b,
respectively. The microphone 37 is provided inside the microphone
hole 33.
The first GPU 26 is connected to a first VRAM (Video PAM) 28, and
the second GPU 27 is connected to a second VRAM 29. In accordance
with an instruction from the CPU core 21, the first GPU 26
generates a first display image, and renders the first display
image into the first VRAM 28. Similarly, in accordance with an
instruction from the CPU core 21, the second GPU 27 generates a
second display image, and renders the second display image in the
second VRAM 29. The first VRAM 28 and the second VRAM 29 are
connected to the LCD controller 31.
The LCD controller 31 includes a register 32. The register 32
stores a value "0" or "1" in accordance with an instruction from
the CPU core 21. If the value in the register 32 is 0, the LCD
controller 31 outputs, to the first LCD 11, the first display image
rendered in the first VRAM 28, and outputs, to the second LCD 12,
the second display image rendered in the second VRAM 29. On the
other hand, if the value in the register 32 is 1, the first display
image rendered in the first VRAM 28 is outputted to the second LCD
12, and the second display image rendered in the second VRAM 29 is
outputted to the first LCD 11.
A wireless communication section 34 has a function of performing
data transmission to and data reception from a wireless
communication section of another game apparatus. Further, the game
apparatus 10 can be connected to a wide area network such as the
Internet through the wireless communication section 34, and can
also communicate with another game apparatus through the
network.
In the present embodiment, the CPU core 21 of the game apparatus 10
executes an object display order changing program loaded from the
ROM 17a of the memory card 17 or the like to the RAM 24. The object
display order chancing program allows a user to optionally change a
display order in which a plurality of objects are displayed on a
screen, by using coordinate input means. Hereinafter, an outline of
an operation performed by the game apparatus 10 based on the object
display order changing program will be described with reference to
FIGS. 3 to 20.
FIG. 3 shows an image displayed on a screen of the second LCD 12
when the object display order changing program is executed. In FIG.
3, five icons (icons 40h, 40i, 40j, 40k, and 40l), a balloon 42, a
slide bar 44, and a cursor 46 are displayed on the screen.
The icon 40 represents an image associated with a program (computer
program executable by the CPU core 21). A user is allowed to boot a
desired program by using the icon 40. In the present embodiment, 24
icons (icons 40a to 40x) in total are aligned in the order as shown
in FIG. 4, and some of the 24 icons are displayed on a
predetermined area (herein after, referred to as an icon line
display area) of the screen in accordance with the order. In the
present embodiment, an area enclosed by dotted lines in FIG. 3
represents the icon line display area. A user selects an icon
corresponding to a desired program from the icon line displayed on
the icon line display area so as to cause the CPU core 21 to
execute the desired program. The user is allowed to display and
select any icon on the screen by scrolling the icon line displayed
on the icon line display area. As described below, the icon line
can be scrolled by using the cross key or through touch operation,
and, through this scrolling, the icons of the icon line are
sequentially displayed at the center position of the icon line
display area. For example, when the icon line is scrolled leftward
by a distance corresponding to one icon in a state where an icon
40c is displayed at the center position, the display position of
the icon 40c is moved leftward from the center position, and an
icon 40d is displayed at the center position. When in this state
the icon line is further scrolled leftward by a distance
corresponding to one icon, the display position of the icon 40d is
moved leftward from the center position, and an icon 40e is
displayed at the center position. However, in a saving mode (a
state in which an object is saved in a saving area) described
below, no icon is displayed at the center position of the icon line
display area as shown in FIG. 16. For example, when the icon 40c is
saved in the saving area, an icon 40b and the icon 40d are
displayed so as to sandwich the center position. When in this state
the icon line is scrolled leftward by a distance corresponding to
one icon, the icon 40d and an icon 40e are displayed so as to
sandwich the center position. When in this state the icon line is
further scrolled leftward by a distance corresponding to one icon,
the icon 40e and an icon 40f are displayed so as to sandwich the
center position.
The balloon 42 represents an image for providing a user with
information (information about the program corresponding to the
icon, and the like) relating to the icon (icon 40j in an example
shown in FIG. 3) displayed at the center position of the icon line
display area.
The slide bar 44 provides a user with various functions in
combination with the cursor 46. 24 squares displayed on the slide
bar 44 correspond to 24 icons 40a to 40x, respectively. The cursor
46 indicates the icons, among the icons 40a to 40x, currently
displayed on the icon line display area. A user is allowed to drag
the cursor 46 along the slide bar 44 (that is, in the lateral
direction) by using the stick 16, so as to move the cursor 46 to
any point on the slide bar 44. Further, a user is also allowed to
touch any point on the slide bar 44 so as to move the cursor 46 to
the point. The icons displayed on the icon line display area are
changed in accordance with a position of the cursor 46 being
changed on the slide bar 44. Thus, by using the slide bar 44 and
the cursor 46, a user is allowed to display a desired icon, among
the icons 40a to 40x, on the icon line display area. In the present
embodiment, as an operation method for displaying a desired icon on
the icon line display area, used are various operation methods
other than the method in which the slide bar 44 and the cursor 46
are used.
An operation method in which a user changes the order in which the
icons 40a to 40x are aligned will be specifically described with
reference to FIGS. 5 to 20.
FIG. 5 shows an exemplary screen displayed when a user touches the
icon 40j by using the stick 16. When a user touches the icon 40j by
using the stick 16, the touched icon 40j is highlighted (for
example, a contour thereof is highlighted).
When in the state (that is, a state where one of the icons on the
icon line is touched by the stick 16) shown in FIG. 5 a user slides
the stick 16 rightward on the screen (the stick 16 touching the
screen is slid), the icon line displayed on the icon line display
area is scrolled rightward in accordance with a sliding distance
over which the stick 16 slides, as shown in FIG. 6. When a user
slides the stick 16 leftward, the icon line displayed on the icon
line display area is scrolled leftward in accordance with a sliding
distance over which the stick 16 slides. Thus, while an icon
displayed on the icon line display area is being touched by the
stick 16, the stick 16 is laterally slid, thereby allowing a user
to scroll the icon line. At this time, a position of the cursor 46
is moved in accordance with the icon line being scrolled.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a scroll area 48
including the icon line is defined. When a user touches any point
on the scroll area 48 as well as on an icon, and laterally slides a
touch position, the icon line can be scrolled. For example, also
while the stick 16 is touching a clearance between the icon 40h and
the icon 40i shown in FIG. 5, the stick 16 is laterally slid,
thereby enabling the icon line to be scrolled.
When in the state (that is, a state where one of the icons on the
icon line is touched by the stick 16) shown in FIG. 5 a user slides
the stick 16 upward on the screen, the icon 40j moves upward so as
to follow the stick 16 as shown in FIG. 8. When a user slides the
stick 16 downward, the icon 40j moves downward so as to follow the
stick 16. Thus, while the stick 16 is touching an icon displayed on
the icon line display area, the stick 16 is vertically slid,
thereby allowing a user to extract a desired icon from the icon
line. Thus, while the stick 16 is touching the screen (touch
panel), a user is allowed to optionally move (drag) the icon 40j
extracted from the icon line, by sliding the stick 16 in a desired
direction, as shown in FIG. 9. In the following description, an
icon being dragged by a user is referred to as a "dragged icon" as
necessary. When the icon 40j is extracted from the icon line, the
number of squares of the slide bar 44 is accordingly updated to 23,
and display positions at which the icons 40h, 40i, 40k, and 40l are
displayed are also updated (see FIG. 9).
In an exemplary modification, only when a user slides the stick 16
upward (not downward), a desired icon may be extracted from the
icon line.
When in the state (that is, a state where an icon is being dragged
by using the stick 16) shown in FIG. 9 a user drags the icon 40j to
a position (that is, a position between the icon 40k and the icon
40l) as shown in FIG. 10 and drops (moves the stick 16 away from
the screen) the icon 40j thereon, the icon 40j is inserted between
the icon 40k and the icon 40l as shown in FIG. 11, so that the
number of squares of the slide bar 44 is updated to 24, and the
highlighting for the icon 40j is canceled.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a saving area 50 is
defined at a position distanced from the icon line display area. A
user is allowed to insert a dragged icon in the icon line by
dropping the dragged icon at any point outside the saving area 50
as well as at a position between two icons, adjacent to each other,
included in the icon line. The dragged icon is typically inserted
between two icons, adjacent to each other, which are included in
the icon line and are closest to a point at which the dragged icon
is dropped. For example, when the icon 40j is dropped in the state
shown in FIG. 9, the icon 40j may be inserted between the icon 40k
and the icon 40l. A case where the dragged icon is dropped in the
saving area 50 will be described later.
When in the state (that is, a state where an icon is being dragged
by using the stick 16) shown in FIG. 9 a user drags the icon 40j to
the right edge of the icon line display area as shown in FIG. 13,
the icon line starts to be scrolled in the direction (that is, the
left direction on the screen) indicated by an arrow in the figure.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a right edge area
52R is defined near the right edge of the icon line display area,
and a left edge area 52L is defined near the left edge of the icon
line display area. A user is allowed to scroll the icon line
leftward by positioning the dragged icon (the icon 40j in an
example shown in FIG. 13) in the right edge area 52R. Similarly, a
user is allowed to scroll the icon line rightward by positioning
the dragged icon in the left edge area 52L. The scroll-display of
the icon line is continued while the dragged icon is positioned in
the right edge area 52R or the left edge area 52L, and ends at a
time when the dragged icon leaves the areas. Therefore, as shown in
FIG. 13, a user is allowed to insert the dragged icon in the icon
line at a desired position by scrolling the icon line so as to
display a desired destination (a clearance between any two icons,
adjacent to each other, included in the icon line), and thereafter
dragging to and dropping onto the desired destination the dragged
icon. Through these operations, a user need not move the stick 16
away from the screen at all after a user touches a desired icon by
using the stick 16 until the user inserts the icon in the icon line
at a desired position, so that the display order in which the icons
are displayed can be easily changed by performing once the sliding
operation (that is, a series of operation from an operation of a
user touching the screen by using the stick 16 so as to slide the
screen to an operation of the user moving the stick 16 away from
the screen).
When in the state (that is, a state where the icon is being dragged
by using the stick 16) shown in FIG. 9 a user drags to and drops
onto the saving area 50 (see FIG. 12) the icon 40j as shown in FIG.
15, the icon 40j is not inserted in the icon line but saved in the
saving area 50 as shown in FIG. 16, and the highlighting for the
icon 40j is canceled. In the following description, an icon saved
in the saving area 50 is referred to as a "saved icon" as
necessary. While the saved icon exists, a mark 54 is displayed on
the screen as shown in FIG. 16. The mark 54 indicates a clearance
between two icons, adjacent to each other, which are positioned
near the center of the icon line displayed on the icon line display
area, and when a user taps the stick 16 on the saved icon (that is,
the stick 16 touching the saved icon is moved away from the screen
without sliding the stick 16 on the screen), the saved icon is
inserted in the clearance indicated by the mark 54.
FIG. 17 shows an exemplary screen on which a user touches the icon
40l by using the stick 16 in the state (that is, a state where the
saved icon exists) shown in FIG. 16. When a user touches the icon
40l by using the stick 16, the touched icon 40l is highlighted.
When in the state (that is, a state where when the saved icon
exists, one of the icons in the icon line is touched by the stick
16) shown in FIG. 17 a user slides the stick 16 leftward on the
screen, the icon line displayed on the icon line display area is
scrolled leftward in accordance with a sliding distance over which
the stick 16 is slid, as shown in FIG. 18. When a user slides the
stick 16 rightward on the screen, the icon line displayed on the
icon line display area is scrolled rightward in accordance with a
sliding distance over which the stick 16 is slid. Thus, also when
the saved icon exists, as in the state where no saved icon exists,
a point in the scroll area 48 (see FIG. 7) is touched by using the
stick 16, the stick 16 touching the point is laterally slid,
thereby allowing a user to scroll the icon line.
When in the state (that is, a state where when the saved icon
exists, one of the icons in the icon line is touched by the stick
16) shown in FIG. 17 a user slides the stick 16 upward on the
screen, the icon 40l moves upward so as to follow the stick 16, and
the icon 40l is extracted from the icon line as shown in FIG. 19,
and further interchange between the icon 40l and the icon 40j which
is the saved icon is performed such that the icon 40j is inserted
in the icon line, as shown in FIG. 20. Also when a user slides the
stick 16 downward, the icon 40l moves downward so as to follow the
stick 16, and the icon 40l is extracted from the icon line, and
further interchange between the icon 40l and the icon 40j is
performed such that the icon 40j is inserted in the icon line.
Thus, an operation for inserting the icon 40j in the icon line and
an operation for extracting the icon 40l from the icon line are
realized by performing a single sliding operation, thereby
improving operation efficiency.
In the present embodiment, some useful icon operation methods,
other than the various icon operation methods described above, can
be used. For example, when in the state (that is, a state where
neither the dragged icon nor the saved icon exists) shown in FIG. 3
a user taps the stick 16 on the icon 40j displayed at the center of
the icon line display area, the icon 40j on which the user taps the
stick 16 opens (that is, a program represented by the icon 40j is
executed). Further, for example, when in the state (that is, a
state where neither the dragged icon nor the saved icon exists)
shown in FIG. 3 a user taps the stick 16 on an icon (the icon 40h,
40l, 40k, or 40l) other than the icon 40j displayed at the center
of the icon line display area, the icon line is scrolled such that
the icon on which the user taps the stick 16 moves toward the
center of the icon line display area.
Some of the icon operation methods as described above may be
performed by using a hardware switch (the operation switch section
14 shown in FIG. 2). For example, when in the state (that is, a
state where neither the dragged icon nor the saved icon exists)
shown in FIG. 3 a user presses the A button 14d, the icon 40j
displayed at the center position of the icon line display area
opens. Further, when in the state (that is, a state where neither
the dragged icon nor the saved icon exists) shown in FIG. 3 a user
presses an upper button (that is, the upper portion of the cross
switch 14a) the icon 40j displayed at the center position of the
icon line display area is saved in the saving area 50 as shown in
FIG. 16. Further, when in the state (that is, a state where neither
the dragged icon nor the saved icon exists) shown in FIG. 3 or in
the state (that is, a state where the saved icon exists) shown in
FIG. 16 a user presses a right button (that is, the right portion
of the cross switch 14a), the icon line is scrolled rightward on
the screen by a distance corresponding to one icon. Further, when
in the state (that is, a state where neither dragged icon nor the
saved icon exists) shown in FIG. 3 or in the state (that is, a
state where the saved icon exists) shown in FIG. 16 a user presses
a left button (that is, the left portion of the cross switch 14a),
the icon line is scrolled leftward on the screen by a distance
corresponding to one icon. Furthermore, when in the state (that is,
a state where the saved icon exists) shown in FIG. 16 a user
presses a lower button (that is, the lower portion of the cross
switch 14a), the saved icon 40j is inserted in the icon line at a
center position indicated by the mark 54.
Next, an operation performed by the game apparatus 10 based on the
object display order changing program will be described in more
detail with reference to FIGS. 21 to 26.
FIG. 21 shows a memory map of the RAM 24. The RAM 24 stores the
object display order changing program, icon display order
information, as shown in FIG. 4, representing the display order in
which the icons are displayed, icon image data corresponding to the
respective icons, and various programs associated with the
respective icons.
When the object display order changing program is executed, the
process is performed in three main process modes, a start mode, a
dragging mode, and a saving mode, as shown in FIG. 22. The start
mode is a process mode for a state (for example, states shown in
FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 12) in which neither the dragged
icon nor the saved icon exists. The dragging mode is a process mode
for a state (for example, states shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10,
FIG. 13, FIG. 15, FIG. 19, and FIG. 20) in which the dragged icon
exists. The saving mode is a process mode for a state (for example,
the states shown in FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18) where the
dragged icon does not exist, and the saved icon exists). The
process shifts among these three modes in accordance with an
operation performed by a user.
FIG. 23 shows contents of operations, performed by a user,
corresponding to mode shift patterns, respectively. In FIG. 23,
"touch operation" represents an operation performed by using the
touch panel 15, and "key operation" represents an operation
performed by using the operation switch section 14 (such as the
cross switch 14a and the A button 14d shown in FIG. 1) shown in
FIG. 2.
A shift from the start mode to the dragging mode is performed by a
user dragging vertically one of the icons in the icon line
displayed on the screen.
A shift from the start mode to the saving mode is performed by a
user pressing the upper button.
A shift from the dragging mode to the start mode is performed by a
user dropping the dragged icon outside the saving area 50.
A shift from the dragging mode to the saving mode is performed by a
user dropping the dragged icon in the saving area 50.
A shift from the saving mode to the start mode is performed by a
user tapping on the saved icon or pressing the lower button.
A shift from the saving mode to the dragging mode is performed by a
user dragging the saved icon.
Next, a flow of process performed by the CPU core 21 in each
process mode will be described with reference to flow charts of
FIGS. 24 to 26. Although each flow chart does not show process
associated with generation and output of an image, the generation
and output of the image is performed at regular time intervals.
Immediately after execution of the icon display order changing
program is started, the process is performed in the start mode.
FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing a flow of process performed by the
CPU core 21 in the start mode.
In step S10, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not a key input
is made based on a signal from the operation switch section 14, and
when the key input is made, the process advances to step S11, and
otherwise the process advances to step S20.
In step S11, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the upper
button is pressed, and when the upper button is pressed, the
process advances to step S12, and otherwise the process advances to
step S13.
In step S12, the CPU core 21 withdraws the balloon 42, and saves,
in the saving area 50, an icon displayed at the center position of
the icon line display area. When step S12 ends, the process shifts
to the saving mode.
In step S13, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not one of the
right button or the left button is pressed, and when one of the
right button or the left button is pressed, the process advances to
step S14, and otherwise the process advances to step S16.
In step S14, the CPU core 21 scrolls and displays the icon line.
Specifically, the CPU core 21 displays the icon line being scrolled
rightward on the screen when the right button is pressed, and
displays the icon line being scrolled leftward on the screen when
the left button is pressed. At this time, the icon line is scrolled
and displayed such that the icons are sequentially positioned at
the center position of the icon line display area.
In step S15, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the key
input is being continued (that is, whether or not one of the right
button or the left button is being still pressed), and when the key
input is being continued, the process returns to step S14, and
otherwise the process returns to step S10.
In step S16, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the A button
is pressed, and when the A button is pressed, the execution of the
icon display order changing program is ended, and the icon
displayed at the center of the icon line display area is opened
(that is, the program associated with the icon displayed at the
center thereof is started).
In step S20, the CPU core 21 detects a touch position based on a
signal from the touch panel 15. In the present embodiment, the
touch position is represented as a two-dimensional coordinate (X,
Y) for which the X-axis direction represents the lateral direction
of the screen, and the Y-axis direction represents the vertical
direction of the screen. The touch position detected in step S20 is
stored in the RAM 24 as a touch-on position (a touch position
detected earliest after a state where the stick 16 does not touch
the touch panel 15 shifts to a state where the stick 16 touches the
touch panel 15).
In step S21, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the touch
position is on an icon, and when the touch position is on an icon,
the process advances to step S26, and otherwise the process
advances to step S22.
In step S22, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the touch
position is in the scroll area 48, and when the touch position is
in the scroll area 48, the process advances to step S23, and
otherwise the process returns to step S10.
In step S23, the CPU core 21 detects a touch position based on a
signal from the touch panel 15.
In step S24, the CPU core 21 scrolls and displays the icon line
based on the touch-on position (that is, the touch position
detected and stored in step S20) and the most recent touch position
(that is, the touch position detected in step S23). Specifically,
the CPU core 21 determines a scrolling direction based on whether
an X-coordinate value of the touch-on position is greater than or
smaller than an X-coordinate value of the most recent touch
position, and determines a scroll width (a moving distance over
which the icon line moves on the screen) based on an absolute value
of a difference between the X-coordinate value of the touch-on
position and the X-coordinate value of the most recent touch
position.
In step S25, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not touch-off is
performed (that is, whether or not the stick 16 is moved away from
the touch panel 15) based on a signal from the touch panel 15, and
when the touch-off is performed, the process returns to step S10,
and otherwise the process returns to step S23.
In step S26, the CPU core 21 highlights the icon touched by a
user.
In step S27, the CPU core 21 detects a touch position based on a
signal from the touch panel 15.
In step S28, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not a moving
distance (that is, an absolute value of a difference between the
X-coordinate value of the touch-on position and an X-coordinate
value of the most recent touch position) over which the touch
position moves in the X-axis direction is greater than a
predetermined threshold value, and when the moving distance over
which the touch position moves in the X-axis direction is greater
than the predetermined threshold value (in this case, a user
intends to scroll the icon line laterally), the process advances to
step S29, and otherwise the process advances to step S34.
In step S29, the CPU core 21 detects a touch position based on a
signal from the touch panel 15.
In step S30, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not a moving
distance (that is, an absolute value of a difference between a
Y-coordinate value of the touch-on position and a Y-coordinate
value of the most recent touch position) over which the touch
position moves in the Y-axis direction is greater than a
predetermined threshold value, and when the moving distance over
which the touch position moves in the Y-axis direction is greater
than the predetermined threshold value (in this case, a user
intends to extract a desired icon from the icon line), the process
shifts to the dragging mode, and otherwise the process advances to
step S31. Thus, even after a user scrolls the icon line by dragging
laterally one of the icons displayed on the icon line display area,
the user is allowed to extract the icon from the icon line by
dragging the icon vertically.
In a case where the threshold value used in step S30 is too small,
when a user intends to scroll the icon line, an icon is likely to
be extracted from the icon line to stop scrolling and displaying
the icon line, against the user's intention. Therefore, it is
necessary to set the threshold value used in step S30 as an
appropriate value based on the operability. In order to effectively
prevent such an erroneous operation, in an exemplary modification,
the threshold value used in step S30 may be increased in accordance
with the moving distance in the X-axis direction being increased.
Further, in another exemplary modification, whether or not a change
rate (for example, a change amount of the Y-axis coordinate value
obtained during a most recent predetermined time period) at which
the touch position moves in the Y-axis direction is greater than a
predetermined threshold value may be determined, in step S30,
instead of whether or not the moving distance over which the touch
position moves in the Y-axis direction is greater than a
predetermined threshold value. Moreover, in still another exemplary
modification, only when the moving distance in the Y-axis direction
is greater than the moving distance in the X-axis direction,
whether or not a user intends to extract an icon from the icon line
may be determined. Furthermore, in still another exemplary
modification, in a case where the icon line is once scrolled, only
when the touch-off is performed, an icon may be extracted from the
icon line (that is, process step of step S30 may be
eliminated).
In step S31, the CPU core 21 scrolls and displays the icon line
based on the touch-on position (that is, the touch position
detected and stored in step S20) and the most recent touch position
(that is, the touch position detected in step S29). Specifically,
the CPU core 21 determines a scrolling direction based on whether
the X-coordinate value of the touch-on position is greater than or
smaller than an X-coordinate value of the most recent touch
position, and determines a scroll width based on an absolute value
of a difference between the X-coordinate value of the touch-on
position and the X-coordinate value of the most recent touch
position.
In step S32, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the
touch-off is performed, based on a signal from the touch panel 15,
and when the touch-off is performed, the process advances to step
S33, and otherwise the process returns to step S29.
In step S33, the CPU core 21 cancels the highlighting performed for
the icon in step S26.
In step S34, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the moving
distance over which the touch position moves in the Y-axis
direction is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and when
the moving distance over which the touch position moves in the
Y-axis direction is greater than the predetermined threshold value
(in this case, a user intends to extract a desired icon from the
icon line), the process shifts to the dragging mode, and otherwise
the process advances to step S35.
In step S35, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the
touch-off is performed, based on a signal from the touch panel 15,
and when the touch-off is performed (in this case, a user taps on a
desired icon), the process advances to step S36, and otherwise the
process returns to step S27.
In step S36, the CPU core 21 cancels the highlighting performed for
the icon in step S26.
In step S37, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the icon
(that is, the icon having been most recently touched before the
touch-off) on which a user taps is an icon displayed at the center
of the icon line display area, and when the icon is the icon
displayed at the center of the icon line display area, the
execution of the icon display order changing program is ended, and
the icon displayed at the center of the icon line on the screen is
opened. Otherwise, the process advances to step S38.
In step S38, the CPU core 21 scrolls and displays the icon line so
as to move, toward the center of the screen, the icon on which the
user taps, and the process returns to step S10.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a flow of process performed by the
CPU core 21 in the dragging mode.
In step S40, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the
touch-off is performed, based on a signal from the touch panel 15,
and when the touch-off is performed, the process advances to step
S45, and otherwise the process advances to step S41.
In step S41, the CPU core 21 detects a touch position based on a
signal from the touch panel 15.
In step S42, the CPU core 21 moves the dragged icon so as to follow
the most recent touch position (that is, the touch position
detected in step S41), based on the most recent touch position.
In step S43, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the touch
position is in one of the right edge area 52R or the left edge area
52L, and when the touch position is in one of the right edge area
52R or the left edge area 52L, the process advances to step S44,
and otherwise the process returns to step S40.
In step S44, the CPU core 21 scrolls and displays the icon line.
Specifically, the CPU core 21 displays the icon line being scrolled
leftward on the screen by a predetermined width when the touch
position is in the right edge area 52R, and displays the icon line
being scrolled rightward on the screen by a predetermined width
when the touch position is in the left edge area 52L. The closer
the touch position is to the edge of the icon line display area,
the greater the scroll width may be (that is, the higher the
scrolling rate may be). When step S44 ends, the process returns to
step S40.
In step S45, the CPU core 21 cancels the highlighting performed for
the icon in step S26 or in step S66 described later.
In step S46, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not a touch-off
position (a touch position having been most recently detected
before touch-off is performed) is in the saving area 50, and when
the touch-off position is in the saving area 50, the process
advances to step S48, and otherwise the process advances to step
S47.
In step S47, the CPU core 21 inserts the dragged icon in the icon
line. Specifically, the CPU core 21 inserts the dragged icon
between two icons, adjacent to each other in the icon line, which
are closest to the touch-off position. When step S47 ends, the
process shifts to the start mode.
In step S48, the CPU core 21 saves the dragged icon in the saving
area 50. Specifically, the CPU core 21 moves the dragged icon to
the center of the saving area 50. When step S48 ends, the process
shifts to the saving mode.
FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing a flow of process performed by the
CPU core 21 in the saving mode.
In step S50, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not a key input
is made, based on a signal from the operation switch section 14,
and when a key input is made, the process advances to step S51, and
otherwise the process advances to step S60.
In step S51, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the lower
button is pressed, and when the lower button is pressed, the
process advances to step S52, and otherwise the process advances to
step S53.
In step S52, the CPU core 21 inserts the saved icon in a clearance
centered in the icon line displayed in the icon line display area.
When step S52 ends, the process shifts to the start mode.
In step S53, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not one of the
right button or the left button is pressed, and when one of the
right button or the left button is pressed, the process advances to
step S54, and otherwise the process returns to step S50.
In step S54, the CPU core 21 scrolls and displays the icon line.
Specifically, the CPU core 21 displays the icon line being scrolled
rightward on the screen when the right button is pressed, and the
CPU core 21 displays the icon line being scrolled leftward on the
screen when the left button is pressed. At this time, the icon line
is scrolled and displayed such that the two adjacent icons
sequentially sandwich the center position of the icon line display
area.
In step S55, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the key
input is being continued (that is, whether or not one of the right
button or the left button is being still pressed), and when the key
input is being continued, the process returns to step S54, and
otherwise the process returns to step S50.
In step S60, the CPU core 21 detects a touch position, based on a
signal from the touch panel 15. The touch position detected in step
S60 is stored in the RAM 24 as the touch-on position.
In step S61, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the touch
position is on an icon, and when the touch position is on an icon,
the process advances to step S66, and otherwise the process
advances to step S62.
In step S62, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the touch
position is in the scroll area 4S, and when the touch position is
in the scroll area 48, the process advances to step S63, and
otherwise the process returns to step S50.
In step S63, the CPU core 21 detects a touch position, based on a
signal from the touch panel 15.
In step S64, the CPU core 21 scrolls and displays the icon line,
based on the touch-on position (that is, the touch position
detected and stored in step S60) and the most recent touch position
(that is, the touch position detected in step S63). Specifically,
the CPU core 21 determines a scrolling direction based on whether
an X-coordinate value of the touch-on position is greater than or
smaller than an X-coordinate value of the most recent touch
position, and determines a scroll width based on an absolute value
of a difference between the X-coordinate value of the touch-on
position and the X-coordinate value of the most recent touch
position.
In step S65, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the
touch-off is performed, based on a signal from the touch panel 15,
and when the touch-off is performed, the process returns to step
S50, and otherwise the process returns to step S63.
In step S66, the CPU core 21 highlights the icon touched by a
user.
In step S67, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the touch
position is on the saved icon, and when the touch position is on
the saved icon, the process advances to step S74, and otherwise (in
this case, one of the icons in the icon line display area is
touched) the process advances to step S68.
In step S68, the CPU core 21 detects a touch position, based on a
signal from the touch panel 15.
In step S69, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not a moving
distance over which the touch position moves in the Y-axis
direction is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and when
the moving distance over which the touch position moves in the
Y-axis direction is greater than the predetermined threshold value
(in this case, a user intends to extract a desired icon from the
icon line so as to interchange between the desired icon and the
saved icon), the process advances to step S73, and otherwise the
process advances to step S70.
In step S70, the CPU core 21 scrolls and displays the icon line,
based on the touch-on position (that is, the touch position
detected and stored in step S60) and the most recent touch position
(that is, the touch position detected in step S68). Specifically,
the CPU core 21 determines a scrolling direction based on whether
the X-coordinate value of the touch-on position is greater than or
smaller than an X-coordinate value of the most recent touch
position, and determines a scroll width based on an absolute value
of a difference between the X-coordinate value of the touch-on
position and the X-coordinate value of the most recent touch
position.
In step S71, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the
touch-off is performed, based on a signal from the touch panel 15,
and when the touch-off is performed, the process advances to step
S72, and otherwise the process returns to step S68.
In step S72, the CPU core 21 removes the highlight of the icon,
which is provided in step S66.
In step S73, the CPU core 21 interchanges between the saved icon
and the icon being currently touched. Specifically, the CPU core 21
moves the saved icon to a position of the icon being currently
touched so as to interchange between the saved icon and the icon
being currently touched. When the process step of step S73 ends,
the process shifts to the dragging mode.
In step S74, the CPU core 21 detects a touch position, based on a
signal from the touch panel 15.
In step S75, the CPU core 21 moves the saved icon so as to follow
the most recent touch position (that is, the touch position
detected in step S74), based on the most recent touch position.
In step S76, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the moving
distance (a moving distance based on both a moving distance in the
X-axis direction and a moving distance in the Y-axis direction,
such as, for example, a distance between the touch-on position and
the most recent touch position) over which the touch position moves
is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and when the
moving distance over which the touch position move is greater than
the predetermined threshold value (in this case, a user intends to
drag the saved icon), the process shifts to the dragging mode, and
otherwise the process advances to step S77.
In step S77, the CPU core 21 determines whether or not the
touch-off is performed, based on a signal from the touch panel 15,
and when the touch-off is performed (in this case, a user intends
to tap on the saved icon), the process advances to step S78, and
otherwise the process returns to step S74.
In step S78, the CPU core 21 removes the highlight of the icon,
which is provided in step S66.
In step S79, the CPU core 21 inserts the saved icon in the icon
line displayed on the icon line display area at the centered
clearance. When step S79 ends, the process shifts to the start
mode.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a user is
allowed to easily change the display order in which a plurality of
objects are displayed on the icon line display area.
In particular, according to the present embodiment, in a case where
an icon included in the icon line displayed on the icon line
display area is touched by the stick 16, when the stick 16 touching
the icon is laterally slid, it is possible to scroll the entire
icon line, and when the stick 16 touching the icon is vertically
slid, it is possible to extract and drag the touched icon from the
icon line. Therefore, unlike in a conventional art, it is
unnecessary to provide a scroll box in an area other than a display
area (corresponding to the icon line display area of the present
embodiment) of the icon line, thereby making effective use of a
limited screen size. Further, in a conventional art, the wider an
area allocated as a display area of the icon line is, the narrower
an area for providing a scroll box is, so that the scroll box is
narrowed, and it is difficult to designate a position on the scroll
box by using a pointing device. However, according to the present
embodiment, even when a wide area is allocated as the display area
of the icon line, a wide area can be used for the scroll area 48 so
as to include the display area of the icon line, and therefore the
display area of the icon line can be sufficiently widen without
deteriorating the operability for scrolling operation.
In an exemplary modification, when a point, in the icon line
display area, other than a point on an icon is touched by the stick
16 as shown in FIG. 31, and then the stick 16 touching the point is
laterally slid as shown in FIG. 32, the entire icon line is
scrolled. When a point on an icon is touched by the stick 16 as
shown in FIG. 33, and then the stick 16 touching the point is slid
in a desired direction (the stick 16 may be laterally slid) as
shown in FIG. 34, the touched icon may be extracted and dragged
from the icon line. Thus, as in the embodiment described above, it
is unnecessary to provide a scroll box in an area other than the
display area (corresponding to the icon line display area of the
present embodiment) of the icon line, thereby making effective use
of a limited screen size.
In the present embodiment, an exemplary case where a touch panel is
used is described, the present invention is not limited thereto,
and any other coordinate input means such as a mouse, a joystick,
or a touch pad may be used.
Further, although, in the present embodiment, when the dragged icon
is dropped at any desired point outside the saving area 50, the
dragged icon is inserted in the icon line, the present invention is
not limited thereto, and when the dragged icon is dropped in a
specific area (for example, an area distanced from the icon line by
a predetermined distance or less), the dragged icon may be inserted
in the icon line.
Further, the icon line display area as shown in FIG. 3, the scroll
area 48 as shown in FIG. 7, the saving area 50 as shown in FIG. 11,
and the right edge area 52R and the left edge area 52L as shown in
FIG. 14 are each simply an example, the position and the size
thereof may be changed as necessary. For example, each of the right
edge area 52R and the left edge area 52L may extend from the top of
the screen to the bottom thereof.
Further, in step S43 and step S44 shown in FIG. 25, when the touch
position is in the right edge area 52R or the left edge area 52L,
the icon line is scrolled and displayed. However, the present
invention is not limited thereto. When apart (for example, one of
the four corners) of the dragged icon enters the right edge area
52R or the left edge area 52L, the icon line may be scrolled and
displayed. Also in step S46 shown in FIG. 25, the similar
determination may be made.
Each of the threshold values used in step S28, step S30, and step
S34 shown in FIG. 24, and step S69 shown in FIG. 26 may be
individually set as an appropriate value.
Further, although in the present embodiment the icon line is
displayed so as to be aligned laterally in line, the present
invention is not limited thereto, and the icon line may be
displayed so as to be aligned vertically in line.
Further, although in the present embodiment the number of the icon
lines displayed on the icon line display area is one, the present
invention is not limited thereto, and the number of the icon lines
displayed on the icon line display area may be greater than
one.
Moreover, although in the present embodiment the display order in
which a plurality of icons are displayed is changed, the present
invention is not limited thereto. The display order in which any
other objects, other than icons, such as images, characters, marks,
and 3D objects, are displayed can be effectively changed.
Although in the present embodiment the saving area 50 is allowed to
save one icon at a time, the present invention is not limited
thereto. The saving area 50 may simultaneously save a plurality of
icons. For example, FIG. 27 shows an exemplary screen displayed
when the icon 40a, the icon 40f, and the icon 40j are sequentially
saved in the saving area 50 in order, respectively. When the saving
area 50 is allowed to simultaneously save a plurality of icons, the
maximum number of the icons which are allowed to be saved in the
saving area 50 may be previously set. In this case, when the saving
area 50 saves the maximum number of icons (saved icons), a new icon
can be saved in the saving area only by returning one of the
maximum number of saved icons to the icon line.
Further, also when the saving area 50 is allowed to simultaneously
save a plurality of icons as described above, interchange between
the icons can be performed as described with reference to FIG. 20.
For example, when in the state shown in FIG. 27 a user touches the
icon 40l by using the stick 16 so as to slide the stick 16 touching
the icon 40l upward on the screen, the icon 40l moves upward so as
to follow the stick 16 as shown in FIG. 28, and the icon 40l is
extracted from the icon line, and further interchange between the
icon 40l and the icon 40a which has been earliest saved in the
saving area 50 may be performed such that the icon 40a is inserted
in the icon line. Alternatively, in the state shown in FIG. 27, a
user touches the icon 40l by using the stick 16, and slides the
stick 16 touching the icon 40l upward on the screen, and
thereafter, as shown in FIG. 29, the icon 40l is dragged to and
dropped onto a desired saved icon (the icon 40f in an example shown
in FIG. 29) among a plurality of the saved icons saved in the
saving area 50. In this case, as shown in FIG. 30, interchange
between the icon 40f and the icon 40l may be performed such that
the icon 40l is saved in the saving area 50, and the icon 40f is
inserted in the icon line. Thus, when a user desires that the
display order in which a plurality of icons are displayed be
changed, the user is allowed to efficiently change the display
order.
While the invention has been described in detail, the foregoing
description is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It
is understood that numerous other modifications and variations can
be devised without departing from the scope of the invention.
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